Two bills worth close scrutiny

By Timothy Birdnow

Does anybody remember Alcee Hastings? The honorable Mr. Hastings was a Federal judge from Florida who was impeached and removed from office for conspiracy to take bribes. He now sits in the House of Representatives, a Democrat, of course.

Well, Mr. Hastings has been mighty busy of late, working diligently on legislation designed to empower the government at the expense of Americans in general and conservatives in particular.

First, he has sponsored H.R. 645 the purpose of which is ostensibly to establish emergency refugee centers on military bases. According to the text of the legislation:

(a) In General- In accordance with the requirements of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish not fewer than 6 national emergency centers on military installations.

(b) Purpose of National Emergency Centers- The purpose of a national emergency center shall be to use existing infrastructure--

(1) to provide temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster;

(2) to provide centralized locations for the purposes of training and ensuring the coordination of Federal, State, and local first responders;

(3) to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of government, private, and not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations; and

(4) to meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Please note that last:"appropriate needs as determined by the DHS Secretary."

If one were of a conspiratorial bent, one could argue that that this is laying the groundwork for concentration camps. The Democrats would certainly be howling this accusation were George W. Bush in office.

This bill alone would not be too terribly disturbing were it not for Mr. Hastings other bill-H.R. 2647. This demented bit of legislation grants the power to determine who or what is a "hate group" AKA terrorist organization solely to the Attorney General of the United States. Ostensibly intended to keep terrorists and gang members out of the U.S. military and other positions, it ultimately allows the politically appointed AG to make the determination of just who will be deemed a terrorist.

But we already know who Janet Napolitano thinks are possible terrorists: pro-life groups, independent voters, returning military, second amendment advocates, single-issue voters, and other "right wing extremists".